Sweetened beverages
Tang Orange
20 oz
Score
- Dye with an EU warning label
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 9
Tang Orange scores 9 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Fructose: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better drink mixes and water enhancers
-
Hydration Immunity Supplement - Orange Citrus Nuun No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 54 out of 100 , 45 points higher -
Orange Salt LMNT No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 66 out of 100 , 57 points higher -
Orange Tangerine Liquid Water Enhancer PurAqua · 1.62 fl oz No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 52 out of 100 , 43 points higher -
Electrolyte Powder Tropical Coconut, Pineapple and Orange Flavor Dr. Berg No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 76 out of 100 , 67 points higher -
Electrolyte Dronk Mix Orange Salt LMNT No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 66 out of 100 , 57 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Tang Orange
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Fructose minus 20 points
- Yellow 5 minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 ml
- Sugars 89.5 g / 100 ml minus 14 points
- Salt 0.4 g / 100 ml minus 1 points
- Energy 368 kcal / 100 ml minus 4 points
100 − 91.5 = 8.5 → 9
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 368 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 97.4 g |
| Sugars | 89.5 g |
| Added sugars | 89.5 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.4 g |
Serving: 3 Tbsp (38g) (makes 12 fl oz)
Ingredients
- SUGAR (high concern)
- FRUCTOSE (high concern)
- CITRIC ACID
- MALTODEXTRIN
- CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
- SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE
- ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C)
- NATURAL FLAVOR
- ARTIFICIAL COLOR
- GUAR GUM
- YELLOW 5 (high concern)
- YELLOW 6 (high concern)
- XANTHAN GUM
Label text, as published
SUGAR, FRUCTOSE, CITRIC ACID, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF MALTODEXTRIN, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), NATURAL FLAVOR, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, GUAR GUM, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6, XANTHAN GUM
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More sweetened beverages on GoodSwap
-
Sparkling Orange Celsius · 12 fl oz (355 mL) Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains caffeineNo synthetic dyes Score 66 out of 100 Good -
Doubleshot Energy Energy Coffee Beverage Starbucks · 15 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 12 out of 100 Bad -
Energy Drink Red Bull · 250 mL Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains caffeineContains artificial flavors Score 20 out of 100 Poor -
International d french vanilla creamers International Delight · 24 - 7/16 fl oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains palm oil Score 30 out of 100 Poor -
Arizona mucho mango fruit juice cocktail Arizona · 22 fl oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 33 out of 100 Poor -
Gatorade Fierce Thirst Quencher Fruit Punch + Berry Gatorade · 12 fl oz/355 mL Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedContains added sugars Score 12 out of 100 Bad
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of 16 December 2008 on food additives
“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
legislation.gov.uk
-
“Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.”
doi.org
-
Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes
“FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—by the end of 2027.”
fda.gov
-
California AB 2316 (2024), Pupil nutrition: substances: prohibition
“beginning December 31, 2027, would prohibit a school district, county superintendent of schools, or charter school”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
-
21 CFR 74.705 FD&C Yellow No. 5
“shall specifically declare the presence of FD&C Yellow No. 5 by listing the color additive as FD&C Yellow No. 5 among the list of ingredients.”
ecfr.gov
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply (press release)
“Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.”
fda.gov
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org